Communication system



March 14, 1939. J NICHOLS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Dec. 31 1954 illllllllllllll;

INVENTOR Q ATTORNEY the sending end is shown. Any desired type of printer and transmission mechanism may be used in connection with the present invention.

The principal elements of the timing mechanism are the drive shaft 20, the sequence switch 30, the clutch 40, the cyclometer 50 and decimal switch 60. Drive shaft 20 is driven by a constant speed motor (not shown) which also constitutes the drive means for the synchronous mechanism of the printer. Hence drive shaft 20 rotates at a known speed, which may be assumed for illustrative purposes as 450 R. P. M. Drive shaft 26 is divided into two sections, namely continuous section 200. and intermittent section 26b. Section 20a is in continuous rotation, while section 20b rotates only when coupled to section 20a by clutch 40, in which case its rotation is the same as that of section 20a. Section 26a is step pivoted in section 20b by a pin and socket bearing or in other preferred manner. Drive shaft 20 is shown broken into sections for clarity in illustration.

Fixed on drive shaft section 20a is a wheel 2| with resilient rim Ila of rubber or the like. Mounted adjacent thereto on parallel shaft 32 is friction cam 33 adapted, when released, to engage wheel 2| and thus to rotate sequence switch 30. Sequence switch 30 is shown cut into two sections in order to clarify the drawing. The sequence switch comprises friction cam 33, sequence cam 33a integral therewith, contacts 34 and 35, and motional control means. Friction cam 33, provided with a knurled edge with a shallow notch at the point normally adjacent wheel 2|, is normally held out of engagement with wheel 2| by pivoted pawl member 36 provided with two turned down prongs, one positioned in advance of the other, either one of which can engage pin 33c mounted in the upper face of friction cam 33, depending upon the position of the pivoted pawl member. Accelerating spring 31 bears against pin 33d mounted in lower face of cam 33 and tends to rotate cam 33 in the direction indicated by the arrow. Pawl 36 is actuated by release magnet 39, whose armature 39a is pulled in when release magnet 39 is energized, oscillating pawl 36 by means of link 39b.

The operation of sequence switch 36 is as follows: When timing key TK is depressed, contacts Ill are closed, and the local timing circuit energizes release magnet 39. The circuit may be traced from positive battery, via contacts l0, through winding 39 and return to negative battery. Armature 33a pulls in, pulling pawl 36 to the right as viewed. Pin 330 is thus released, freeing friction cam 33 whereupon accelerating spring 31 rotates cam 33-into engagement with wheel 2|. Cam 33 is rotated by wheel 2| almost an entire revolution, whereupon pin 330 is stopped against one or the other of the prongs of pawl 36, depending upon whether timing key TX is released or held. At this point cam 33 is free of wheel II, and accelerating spring 31 has been reset. Assuming that timing key TK has been held, pin 330 will strike the extended prong 36a of detent 33; upon -release of timing key TK, release magnet 39 is deenergized, armature 33a is pulled away by tractile spring 390, and pin 33c drops back against the short prong 36b of pawl 36, restoring initial conditions. Thus drive cam 33 makes but a single revolution for each actuation of timing key TK, irrespective of the time TX is held depressed. During the revolution oi friction cam 33, sequence cam 33a closes contacts 34 and 35 in proper sequence and with the proper interval between closures.

Referring now to Figs. 1a and 1b, as well as Fig. 1, fixedly mounted on drive shaft section 200. is fixed flange 4| of positive clutch 40, while movable flange 42 is carried on a sleeve slidable axially on drive shaft section 2021 and secured against rotation thereon by pin 200, or other preferred means. Throw out pin 42a is mounted in flange 42 in a position to be engaged by trip lever 43, which latter is fixed on rock shaft 44. Fixed on one end of rock shaft 44 is shift plate Me with studs 44b and 44c mounted diametrically as regards the axis of shaft 44, as clearly shown in Figs.'1a and lb. A cover plate 45 is riveted on the heads of studs 44b and 440, and mounted thereon by stud45a is spring finger 45b. Shift head 46, which is T-shaped, works between studs 3 44a and 44b. The free end of spring finger 45b slides in a hole in stud 46a mounted on the stem of shift head 46. Tractile springs 41a and 4117 move shift head 46 to the extended position, as shown in Fig. 1a. Jockey spring 43 retains shift plate 44a in its alternative positions. Shift head 46 is actuated by magnet 49, but if preferred, may be actuated by release magnet 39, since both magnets are energized from the same circuit at the same time.

The operation of the clutch mechanism is as follows: Assuming for the sake of illustration that Fig. 1a represents initial conditions, upon depression of timing key TK shift head 46 is drawn to the right as viewed. As indicated, spring finger 45b has previously lifted shift head 46 into engagement with stud 44b, hence as the shift head is drawn to the right, shift plate 44a, rock shaft 44, and trip lever 43 are rotated clockwise. Trip lever 43 releases trip pin 42a, thus enabling spring 20d to engage the clutch faces. Drive shaft section 20b is thus set in rotation by, and at the same speed as, section 20a. Trip lever 43 is moved clear of the path of trip pin 42a as shown in Fig. 1b, and is held in position by jockey spring 48, hence there is no interference with the rotation of the drive shaft. Upon release of TE, shift magnet 49 is deenergized, and tractile springs 41a and 41b return shift head 46 to extended position. The tilting of shift plate 44a during actuation has, however, caused spring finger 45b to exert a downward pressure upon stud 46a, hence I the shift head is moved into engagement with stud 44c, as shown in Fig. 11).

Without further analysis, it will be evident that upon successive draws of shift head 46, trip lever 43 will be moved into alternate positions of release and engagement with trip pin 42a, and will be retained in such positions between shifts by jockey spring 48. When trip lever 43 is moved into engaging position, trip pin 42a. strikes the inclined surface at the end of trip lever 43, and the movable flange of the clutch is drawn away from the fixed flange. As soon as the clutch faces are clear of each other, trip pin 42a is stopped against the notch in trip lever 43. For further detailed description regarding the principle embodied in the clutch actuating mechanism just described, reference may be made to U. S. Patent No. 2,049,468, particularly Figs. 5 and 6, which show and describe specifically mechanisms embodying such principles.

It is to be noted that'the clutch operation, as well as that of the sequence switch, is produced by tripping action, and proceeds irrespective of the length of time of depression of timing key TK. In the case of the sequence switch, the same released and engaged by successive depressions of A the timing key.

Referring now to Fig. 2, drive shaft lib, when coupled to the drive section, drives counter shaft Si by means of worm 20g and worm gear Ila. Counter shaft ii is hollow, and rotates on Jack shaft 52. Integral with counter shaft II is the first cyclometer gear Bib. The first cyclometer gear is a one tooth gear and at one point each revolution meshes with pinion 53a, loose on auxiliary shaft 54. Pinion 53b, integral with pinion 53a, meshes with the second cyclometer gear I511, which is a ten tooth gear. The third cyclometer gear 55b, integral with gear Ila, is a one tooth gear, similar to Iib, and meshes with pinion 56a.

Pinion 56b, integral with pinion 56a, meshw with the fourth cyclometer gear 51 which is a ten tooth'gear. Fig. 3, taken through line 3-4 of Fig. 2, thus represents the odd numbered cyciometer gears, while Fig. 4 represents the even numbered cyclometer gears.

The design and operation of cyclometer trains is well known, hence detailed description is not required. It will sufilce for an understanding of the present invention to state that in the transfer from one cyclometer gear to the following one,

gear, is intermittent. For example, the second gear is rotated one tenth revolution each time the single tooth of the first gear engages the pinion, but remains at rest during the remainder of the revolution of the first gear, and so on through the train.

The cyclometer train may be designed to enable the recording of minutes and tenths minutes, or minutes-and tens of minutes, or any other desired units of time, such matters being well understood bythose versed in the art. By way of explaining the present invention, and as an example, it will be assumed that the time groups to be printed are to represent minutes and tenths of minutes. In this case, the first cyclometer gear should rotate once every tenth minute, or at a speed of 10 R. P. M. Since the main drive shaft rotates at 450 R. P. M., the worm gear should have a ratio of 45 to 1. The second and third cyclometer gears will rotate at 1.0 R. P. M., hence each tenth division will represent tenths of a minute. The fourth cyclometer gear will rotate at a speed of one tenth R. P. M., hence each tenth division wfll represent one minute.

Mounted on the right face of cyclometer gear 551), but insulated therefrom, as for example by insulator disc 58, is the rotary contactor element '8! of the tenths decimal switch. This element comprises a metal cup Bio, and ametal finger 6 lb mounted thereon by suitable means, such as small rivets. Exterior electrical connection is made to cup Sla by brush 62 hearing on the rim thereon. Brush 62 and all other parts in the electricai circuit are preferably insulated from the frame. Rotary contactor element 63 of the units decimal switch, which is similar in construction to element 61, is mounted on the left face of cyclometer gear 51, and connection is made to it via brush 64' in the same manner as before.

The stationary contacts 66 of the decimal switch, ten in number, are mounted in insulator plate 65 in any preferred manner, as for example by moulding in position (See- Figs. 2 and Plate65 is rigidly held intermediate contactors 5| and '3; plate 65 also supports the brush holders for brushes 2 and 64. The connections to stationary contacts II and to brush 62, as related to Fig. 1, are indicated in Fig. 5. The same set of contacts are contacted by the two contactor elements, but for clarity in illustration the stationary contacts are shown separately in. Fig. 1. Each divisional advance of the cyclometer gear moves' tion of the timing mechanism is as follows:

Assume that the operator. has inserted a sheet of paper in the printer, and having completed the preliminary calling procedure, is ready to type the message proper. The operator then depresses the timing key. This closes contacts I. and energizes release magnet 30 and clutch magnet 49. Release magnet 39 pulls aside detent 36, releasing friction cam 33 which engages wheel 2i and is'set in rotation thereby. Sequence cam 33a closes and releases contacts .34, and thereafter, contacts. Contacts 34 close a circuit energizing one of the key solenoids the selection of which is controlled by the units sequence switch. As an example, a circuit may be traced from negative battery via contacts 34, via contactor I of the"units" switch, via contact 5, through key solenoid II, and return to positive battery. Key solenoid i5 is energized, pulling down numeral key "5". This latter action actuates the printer mechanism (not shown) and closes key switch 5' which transmits aprinting signal (by means of any desired transmitting mechanism) to the receiving printer," which printer also prints the numeral "5' on the receiv-- ing copy.

When contacts 35 are closed a short time later,

a circuit through the "tenths" switch is set up the time group 52, translatable as 5.2 minutes.

Meanwhile, upon the energizing of clutch magnet 48, positive clutch 40 is engaged, and the cyclometer mechanism is started up, advancing the decimal switches as previously described during the transmission of the message proper as above explained, the transmission system may make use of any desired apparatus and method, such as the coded impulse or the synchronous system, as the present invention is not restriced to any particular transmission system.

At the end of the message, the operator again depresses the timing key, and a second time group, corresponding to the position of the cyclometer at thistimels printed on the original and received copies of the message, according to the method just described. Assume that this second time group is 98; then subtracting the first time group 52, it is determined that the elapsed time of transmission is 4.6 minutes, and the time charge for service is thus established. As before, clutch magnet 49 is energized at the same time as the release magnet, but this time the positive clutch is thrown out oi engagement, as previously described, stopping the cyclometer train.

Between messages, the cyclometer train is not actuated, hence the first time group of the next succeeding message will be the same as the second time group of the prior message. Thus the accumulated time of a series of messages can be obtained by subtracting the first time group of the series from the last time group, each individual message showing its own time of transmission.

For simplicity in description, only two decimal switch groups have been shown. It will be clear, however, that by adding another unit assembly to the cyclometer train, another decimal switch group, and another set of contacts to cooperate with the sequence cam, the range of the mechanism can be extended to record tens, units, and tenths of a minute, or by suitable change in the worm gear ratio or motor speed, hundreds, tens, and unit minutes.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that well known setting and set-back devices may be added to the cyclometer train to cause the time groups to represent clock time, or to start each message from zero time. Such variations, following the teaching of the present invention, can be introduced to meet the requirements of particular applications. The general method Oi using arbitrary time groups herein described for illustrative purposes has the merit of relative simplicity, and is generally to be preferred on that account.

While the methods described herein, and forms of apparatus for carrying these methods into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise methods and forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention which-is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system of the character described com prising, in combination, printing control instru mentalities and control means therefor, a cyclonieter gear train and actuating means therefor, a

plurality of selector means operated and posi-' tioned by the said cyclometer gear train thereby selecting certain of said control means, means to render the actuating means effective to rotate the gear train to position the said selector means, and means to render operative those control means for the printing control instrumentalities selected by, and in accordance with, the positioning of the said selector means.

2. A system of the character described com prising in combination, printing control instrumentalities and control means therefor, a cyclometer gear train and actuating means therefor, a plurality of selector means operated and positioned by the cyclometer gear train to select certain of said control means, and a control key, the operation of which controls the operation of certain of the control means for the associated printing control instrumentalities selected by the positioned selector means and simultaneously renders the actuating means effective to rotate the gear train to position the selector means to a different position.

3. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, printing control instrumentalities and control means therefor, a cyclometer gear train and actuating means therefor, a plurality of selector means operated and positioned by the cyclometer gear train to select certain of said control means, a control key, means controlled upon operation of the control key to render operative the control means selected by the positioned selector means thereby operating the associated printing control instrumentalities, and simultaneously rendering the actuating means eifective to rotate continuously the gear train to alter the position of the selector means, and means controlled upon a subsequent operation of the control key to render operative other of said control means selected by, and in accordance with, the altered position of the selector means and simultaneously rendering the actuating means inoperative thereby preventing further positioning of the said selector means.

4. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, printing control instrumentalities and individual control means therefor, a cyclometer gear train and actuating means therefor, a plurality of selector means operated and positioned by the cyclometer gear train, circuits connecting each of the said selector means to the said individual control means, and means to control sequentially the operation of the control means for the printing control instru mentalities in accordance with the positioned selector means so as to energize the associated circuits and control means selected in accordance with the positioning of one of said selector means and then to energize the associated circuits and control means selected in accordance with the positioning of another of said selector means.

5. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, a constantly rotating drive shaft, a cyclometer gear train, normally inoperative clutch means adapted upon operation thereof to couple the said gear train to the said shaft, printing control'instrumentalities and control means therefor, selector means controlled and positioned by the gear train to select certain of said control means in accordance with the positioned selector means, and means to render operative the control means selected by the positioned selector means and simultaneously rendering the clutch means operative to alter the position of the selector means.

6. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, a cyclometer gear train and actuating means therefor, said gear train comprising a plurality of gear elements operated at different speed ratios upon actuation of the gear train, printing control instrumentalities and control means therefor, a plurality of selector means, each comprising a series of contacts and a rotary contact element to engage the contacts, which is positioned by an individual gear element in accordance with the positioning of the gear element, circuits to connect the said series of contacts to the said control means, and means to render operative the control means selected by the selector means and simultaneously to render the said actuating means operative so as to alter the positioning of the contact elements thereby changing the selection of the control means to be effected.

'7. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, a cyclometer gear train and actuating means therefor, said gear train comprising a plurality of gear elements operated at different speed ratios upon actuation of the gear train, printing control instrumentalities and control means therefor, a plurality of selector means, each of which is adapted to be positioned by an individual gear element to select certain of the control means in accordance with its position, and a control key, the first operation of which is effective to control the operation of the cyclometer gear train to alter the position of the selector means and upon a subsequent operation of the control key to control the operation of the cyclometer gear train so that the selector means maintain the selection. of the control means in accordance with the said altered position.

8. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, printing control instrumentalities and control means therefor, a cyclometer gear train and actuating means therefor, a plurality of selector means adapted to be positioned by said cyclometer gear train to select certain of said control means in accordance with the setting thereof, and a control element, the operation of which is effective to render the cyclometer gear train operative to alter the setting of the selector means and upon a subsequent operation of the control key is effective to render the cyclometer gear train inoperative whereby the selector means maintain the selection of the control means in accordance with the altered setting of the selector means.

9. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, a constantly rotating shaft, time indicating control mechanism and selector mechanism to control the operation of said time indicating control mechanism, normally inoperative clutch mechanism adapted upon operation thereof to control the operation of the selector mechanism' by said shaft, and control means, the operation of which renders the time indicating control mechanism operative to indicate time indications in accordance with the setting of the selector mechanism and also renders the clutch mechanism operative to control the operation of the selector mechanism thereby altering its setting, and upon a subsequent operation of the control means renders inoperative the clutch mechanism preventing further setting of the selector mechanism and also rendering the said time indicating control mechanism operative to indicate time indications in accordance with the altered setting of the selector mechanism.

10. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, time indicating control mechanism, settable selector means adapted to control selectively the time indicating control mechanism in accordance with the setting of the selector means, control means, means controlled by said control means to render the' time indicating control mechanism operative to indicate time indications in accordance with the setting of the selector means, and additional means controlled by said control means to alter the setting of the selector means.

11. A system of the character described comprising, in'combination, time indicating control mechanism, settable selector means to control selectively the operation of the time indicating control mechanism in accordance with the setting of the selector means, means toposition the selector means in a predetermined manner, a control key, and means controlled upon operation of the control key to render the time indicating control mechanism operative to indicate time indications in accordance with the setting of the selector means including means to render the time indicating control mechanism inoperative upon operation thereof .irrespective of the length of time thecontrol key remains operated.

12. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, time indicating control mechanism, a plurality of settable selector means to control selectively the operation of the time indicating control mechanism in accordance with the settings of the selector means, means to position the selector means in a predetermined manner, a control key, and means controlled by the said key to render the time indicating control mechanism operative successively in accordance with the individual setting of each of the said selector means.

13. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, time indicating control mechanism, a plurality of settable selector means to control selectively the operation of the time indicating control mechanism in accordance with the settings of the selector means, means to position the selector means in a predetermined manner, a control key, and a plurality of control elements, one for each selector means, controlled by the said key to render the time indicating control mechanism operative successively in accordance with the individual setting of each of the said selector means.

' 14. A system of the character described comprising, in combination, time indicating control mechanism, settable selector means to control selectively the operation of the time indicating control mechanism in accordance with the setting of the selector means, means to position the selector means in a predetermined manner, a control key and means controlled thereby to render the time indicating control mechanism operative upon each operation of the key to indicate time indications in accordance with the setting of the selector means and rendering the said positioning means effective upon every other operation of the key to alter the position of the selector means.

HARRY J. NICHOLS. 

